Diabetes Prevention and Treatment
As diabetes prevention and education move to the forefront of healthcare on a national scope, Whittier Street Health Center is poised to lead the city of Boston as an educator and innovator in this field. Whittier’s Diabetes Center of Excellence, directed by Dr. Mark Drews, offers prevention and treatment for pre-diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes, the most prevalent form of this chronic disease. Type 2 Diabetes is especially prevalent in the African-America community. Statistics show that 70% more African-Americans, and twice as many Hispanics suffer from diabetes than whites. For this reason, the communities of Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, and beyond need special attention for this problem.
Dr. Drews explains, “Type 2 Diabetes occurs most often in adults, and results from the body’s resistance to insulin, which is necessary for sugar to travel from the blood into cells. When sugar cannot be carried into cells, blood glucose levels rise and have immediate effects on health, as well as long-term effects. Immediate effects include fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, and fainting. The long-term effects of type 2 diabetes, especially untreated, include damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. This can lead to renal failure, blindness, and an increased risk of heart attacks. Many diabetics are unaware of the link between diabetes and heart disease. Most diabetics don’t know that the number one cause of death is heart attack, which is why controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol is so important.”
At Whittier’s multidisciplinary diabetic clinics, held in both English and Spanish and open every Friday from 9 am to noon, patients learn about the best possible treatments for diabetes. “Because the disease affects every aspect of a diabetic’s life, the importance of education and self-management can’t be overstated. Patients only interact with the medical system for a short amount of time and they are on their own the rest of the time. Self-management goes a long way in terms of treatment and control of diabetes. At Whittier, we have a unique team approach to all of our chronic disease care. This is something that is not necessarily available in other practices, such as hospitals.”
Dr. Drews continues, “Whittier’s Diabetes Center of Excellence offers patients a walk-in dental and eye clinic, medical group visits, support groups, educational classes, and even field trips to provide an expanded knowledge of diabetes control. Whittier is fully focused on making our patients self-sufficient. We supply them with knowledge of what they can do at home to control this chronic disease, and we provide the support services and primary care to assist in their treatment. Our patients have a great understanding of how diabetes affects their bodies. This really goes a long way in making them feel included in their treatment. There isn’t one piece of advice for every patient. Diet and exercise are the cornerstone of both treatment and prevention of diabetes for everyone, but diabetics are best served by personalized, individual self-management plans.”
Dr. Drews feels strongly that preventing type 2 diabetes is easier than treating the disease. He recommends a healthy diet that includes multiple servings of fruits and vegetables, while excluding an excess of sugary foods. Regular exercise is also extremely helpful in controlling weight, which is a major risk factor in developing diabetes. Finally, he recommends regular screenings and testing of blood sugar levels, particularly if diabetes runs in the family.
